6 Ways To Activate Your Network

Virtually every career coach, outplacement advisor, or college career service officer will agree: the best way to get a job is to network your way into it. But that can be a tall order if you’ve been out of work for some time, or if you think of yourself as a shy or introverted person. And it is doubly hard if you think of networking as just telling everyone in real or virtual earshot, “Help me! What should I do?”

Networking is fundamentally about building relationships, whether online though social sites like LinkedIn, or in-person at all kinds of meetings and informational interviews. Chances are, if you step back and think about it, you already have a good network to begin with: family members, current and former co-workers, members of professional organizations, alumni groups, church or synagogue, and so forth. And then the question becomes: how do you go about the task of getting your network to work for you effectively?

In my article, “6 Ways to Mobilize Your Network” published by U.S. News & World Report, I explain how you can make it easy for people to help you. If you think carefully about how your audience will understand your message, ask for reasonable things, provide specific guidance for people about how they can best help you, and treat the members of your network with respect, you will be well on your way toward success.

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“Arnie did a professional, well thought out, informative and educational 2 hour training presentation to 21 human resource colleagues and business partners including myself, regarding job search, and utilizing Linked In to full capacity as a networking and search reference tool. Very interesting and well presented presentation. Thanks Arnie! Look forward to working with you on future projects.”

“Thanks for a great e-seminar on “Putting the Oompf in Your Job Search.” All the information was quite helpful. I particularly liked your advice about doing one thing on your job search each day. In the past, I’d have a very long list of things I should do every day. Needless to say I never did all the things on my list and ended up feeling discouraged and guilty. Focusing on at least one thing is definitely doable.”

“I met Arnie at a NEHRA workshop recently where he was presenting to a group of job seekers ways to maximize LinkedIn as an integral part of a job search campaign. Arnie is extemely knowledgeable about this subject, and is a skilled presenter. He also shared valuable advice with others proving his expertise as a job search coach. He’s very effective and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.”

“I just attended a lecture given by Arnie Fertig on the strategic uses of LinkedIn. The depth and breadth of the strategies and tools Arnie described impressed both novice and seasoned networkers alike. The information was valuable and Arnie knew it and presented it well. I highly recommend it for anyone trying to work in today’s world.”

“In ONE conversation, Arnie provided me with invaluable, practical advice on the art of negotiation–advice that worked! From identifying the hidden job market to closing the deal, Arnie is the indispensable jobhunter coach.”

“Arnie gave me some great advice. The day before an important interview with the SVP of Professional services, I attended Arnie’s session on “closing an interview.” The one take-away which I believe made all the difference was Arnie’s suggestion on how to answer questions. I followed the suggestion and within 25 minutes was invited to meet with the entire leadership team of the company. Arnie, thank you for the technique which has put me one step closer to landing.”